I've got a HID bulb out - car is just over 2yrs old, so a little disappointed with the life of the bulb, but lets be honest - hardly the end of the world.

So I'm currently looking around to find the best deal on pricing - will buy 2 so that they definitely match.

How easy is it to replace HID bulbs? I remember from my pre-FL I'd unscrew a small plastic nut and pull a leaver and the whole front light would pop out allowing easy access to the bulbs - is this still the same case with HID units?

Just want to know how easy it is to do before the bulb arrives.

Oh, and a quick edit - hadn't realised there were different fittings for bulbs! Is it D1S that I require?

Edit 2 - And they are around £85 each??

 

Ta

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by Stoofa

I'd expect a HID bulb to last longer than that - have you tried to have it replaced under the 3 year warranty ?

I'll be honest no, not yet. Wasn't sure if bulbs were considered a "consumable" item and wouldn't be covered under warranty?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Osram-D1S-5000K-66144-CBI-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenon-Headlight-Bulbs-NEW-/290849841511?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43b8006167

 

£90 for a pair of 5000k Xenarcs. 5000k was nicer in my old Octavia than 4300k.

I'll be honest no, not yet. Wasn't sure if bulbs were considered a "consumable" item and wouldn't be covered under warranty?

 

I'd give it a go. A genuine D1S bulb isn't cheap and they should last way longer than that. My 2006/80,000 mile Octavia is still on it's original Xenon bulbs. 

Likewise my 2005 A3 was still on its original OEM HID bulbs when I traded it in last year.

So just to confirm - it is a D1s in the Octy?

Actually it's a D2S. At least it is on my 2006 car. Might be worth double checking what bulb is in the FL.

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by booke23

I'm confused now. My Manual states D1S, but a major headlight suppliers website suggests D2S? I'd get it out and have a look at it.  

A few members have successfully had them replaced under warranty as they should last several years.

Our 2007 still had original Xenon lamps

Whoa -- when you say HID bulb, what do you actually mean?

 

HID generally means aftermarket kits fitted, is it one of those,or a factory fit xenon bulb you need???

 

Mike

 

HID and Xenon are two different words for the same thing. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge and Xenon is the gas used inside the bulb.

 

The FL Octavia II uses D1S, and changing them couldn't possibly be easier. Unscrew the plastic nut and pull the lever, and the entire headlight assembly pops out. Take off the rear cover and remove the bulb.

 

No tools needed except maybe a pair of pliers if the plastic nut has been overtightened by a previous mechanic. 

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by Perc

Hi,

I did mean factory fitted Xenon's/HID's - Anyone who has followed my posts in the past will be aware of my almost fanatical hatred of after-market HID kits

I'll give the dealer a call tomorrow and see if they will replace under warranty - I can see on the one hand it could be classed as consumable, but as others have said 2.5 years really isn't long enough life for a bulb.

Of course, after following a different thread a month or so ago this would give the opportunity to swap out the 4300k bulbs and fit 5000k ones instead - as apparently this is the temperature both Mercedes and Audi are about to start fitting as standard as it provides a "better white".

Actually a very easy job.

Headlight.off car

The ballast is bolted on to a plastic cover and the cover is fixed on headlight with 4 clips(easily seen)

Once out unplug wire that plugs into the D1S bulb only.

Look.at the way the bulb is fixed and turn it slightly until it comes out.(can't remember if clockwise or not)

The bulb has a black ring on it, this ring needs to be opened at the middle, easily seen and done, this will split the ring.

On new bulb just reverse process.

I have the osram xarnac CBI 5000k, it costed 100euros, for half the price could of got the normal osram 4300k.

The high beam I got the new osram coolblue, very nice effect

I have the osram xarnac CBI 5000k, it costed 100euros, for half the price could of got the normal osram 4300k.

The high beam I got the new osram coolblue, very nice effect

I'm just waiting for a call back from the service guy at my local dealers. If (and its still a big if at the moment) I do decide to go the 5000k route - are these the bulbs you speak of?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121114928304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

Ta

I have the osram xarnac CBI 5000k, it costed 100euros, for half the price could of got the normal osram 4300k.

The high beam I got the new osram coolblue, very nice effect

 

Nice effect maybe, but you get less light output because there's a layer of paint in the way. 

 

Wearing sunglasses at night doesn't help you see better either. 

Nice effect maybe, but you get less light output because there's a layer of paint in the way. 

 

Wearing sunglasses at night doesn't help you see better either. 

 

Many car makes are introducing 5000k xenon bulbs, Mercedes was the first.

The lighting diference is minimal and you don´t get that somewhat yellowish light.

Before adding real xenon had a HID kit 5000k that I liked very much.

My vids with added cool blue H1

 

Alberg - the bulbs I linked to earlier, are they the ones you went for?

 

Spoke to my local dealership and they will replace the bulb for free.

Still in two minds on the move to 5000k - I was always of the opinion that 4300k was the temperature to be at - but with the likes of Audi and Mercedes now standardising on 5000k you've got to feel there is something in it.

Spoke to my local dealership and they will replace the bulb for free.

 

But they will overcharge you for the bulb. 

Swapping a xenon bulb on an octavia II is seriously one of the easiest repair jobs on the car. No reason to have someone else do it for you.

Alberg - the bulbs I linked to earlier, are they the ones you went for?

 

Spoke to my local dealership and they will replace the bulb for free.

Still in two minds on the move to 5000k - I was always of the opinion that 4300k was the temperature to be at - but with the likes of Audi and Mercedes now standardising on 5000k you've got to feel there is something in it.

4.3k is white light. BUT with pure white you do get some issues. 

I find the reflection from road signs a bit distracting and with a bluer and slightly less bright light you might not get this.

Also, Audi and merc and using led's as their headlights so make sure you aren't getting confused with these. 

I'd say if they are being replaced for free then try 5k if you can. If you dont like it then you will have to shell out the best part of £100 to replace them though 

But they will overcharge you for the bulb. 

Swapping a xenon bulb on an octavia II is seriously one of the easiest repair jobs on the car. No reason to have someone else do it for you.

No - they are going it under warranty - so no cost to me.

So I can either get a direct replacement for my failed bulb totally free, or I can fork out for 5000k and obviously fit those myself.

Well I can go and get the failed bulb replaced for free - so I'd have a set of working 4300k.

If the 5000k bulbs I've seen are the ones mentioned above:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121114928304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Then that would be £65 to try the 5000k bulbs instead. I guess if I like the 5000k I can sell the original ones or if I really don't like the 5000k I could resell those - obviously as used and not for the same price, but recoup some of it.

Skoda are offering to replace and fit the OEM 4300K bulb for free but you are still contemplating paying out of your own pocket for 5000K bulbs with the hassle of fitting them yourself?

 

Its a no brainer for me. You will struggle to see any benefit with the 5000K.

I was told when replacing xenon bulbs you have to discharge the light unit as it has a capacitor and give you belt of the electricity stuff.

Nice effect maybe, but you get less light output because there's a layer of paint in the way.

Wearing sunglasses at night doesn't help you see better either.

I'm on a one man mission to rid the forum of the misconceived attitude that anything other than 4300 offers 'less' light - for further info see http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/279389-d1s-xenon-bulbs/

I do agree (and the facts support the notion) that over 5/6k light output suffers though, so have no problem with people pointing out the problem of very blue lights.

IIRC 4800 to 5200 was about perfect from a lighting point of view